Padlock construction

ABSTRACT

A combination or permutation padlock has a case which supports a movable shackle and contains a pair of locking bolts movable into locking engagement with the legs of the shackle to retain it in a locked position. A control assembly received in the case includes a frame which supports a movable blocking member and a permutation mechanism for controlling movement of the blocking member to and from a blocking position wherein the blocking member prevents retraction of the locking bolts from engagement with the shackle legs. The frame top wall cooperates with the upper wall of the case to confine the locking bolts for movement into and out of locking engagement with the shackle legs. A filler block supported by the frame provides structural support for the frame top wall and receives a drive pin which extends through a wall of the case and a wall of the frame to retain various parts of the lock in assembled relation. Integral annular flanges on combination wheels which comprise the permutation mechanism cooperate with slots in the bottom wall of the frame to prevent insertion of a picking tool into the case.

United States Patent [191 Williams 111 3,817,063 June 18, 1974 PADLOCKCONSTRUCTION [75] Inventor: Merton S. Williams, Terryville,

Conn.

[73] Assignee: Emhart Corporation, Bloomfield,

Conn.

[22] Fiied: Mar. 29, 1973 21 1 Appl. No.: 346,142

Primary Examiner-Robert L. Wolfe Attorney, Agent, or FirmMcCormick,Paulding & Huber ABSTRACT A combination or permutation padlock has acase which supports a movable shackle and contains a pair of lockingbolts movable into locking engagement with the legs of the shackle toretain it in a locked position. A control assembly received in the caseincludes a frame which supports a movable blocking member and apermutation mechanism for controlling movement of the blocking member toand from a blocking position wherein the blocking member preventsretraction of the locking bolts from engagement with the shackle legs.The frame top wall cooperates with the upper wall of the case to confinethe locking bolts for movement into and out of locking engagement withthe shackle legs. A filler block supported by the frame providesstructural support for the frame top wall and receives a drive pin whichextends through a wall of the case and a wall of the frame to retainvarious parts of the lock in assembled relation. Integral annularflanges on combination wheels which comprise the permutation mechanismcooperate with slots in the bottom wall of the frame to preventinsertion of a picking tool into the case.-

5 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PADLOCK CONSTRUCTION BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION This invention relates in general to improvements in padlocksof combination or permutation type and deals more particularly withimprovements in padlocks of the type shown and described in US. Pat.Nos. 2,853,868 and 3,419,893, assigned to the assignee of the presentinvention.

In the permutation padlocks disclosed in the aforesaid patents, one wallof a frame, which comprises part of a control assembly, cooperates withan associated wall of a lock case in which the assembly is received toconfine a pair of locking bolts for movement into and out of lockingengagement with legs of a shackle. It has been found that if asufficiently strong pull is applied to the shackle of such a padlock,the locking bolts may exert sufficient bending force upon the confiningwall of the frame to deform it and, thereby, impair the function of thelock. The present invention is primarily concerned with improvements inconstruction of such a lock without sacrifice of advantages derived fromuse of a control assembly frame for the aforesaid purpose. The inventionis further concerned with provision of improved control mechanism in alock of the aforedescribed general type to discourage picking byunauthorized persons not having knowledge of the prevailing combination.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, apadlock of the aforedescribed general type is provided in which a fillerblock cooperates with walls of a control assembly frame to providestructural reinforcement therefor and with a drive pin for improvedassembly retention of the various parts which comprise the lockingstructure. Integral flanges on the combination wheels which comprise thecontrol mechanism cooperate with slots in an associated wallof the frameto defeat entry of a picking tool or the like into the case of the lock.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional viewtaken along the line 5--5 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the control assembly of thepadlock of FIG. 1, however, for clarity of illustration, the lockingmember thereof is not shown.

' FIG. 7 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing apermutation wheel oriented as shown in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DETAILED EMBODIMENT The novel construction ofthe present invention is particularly adapted for use with padlocks ofeither combination or permutation type. Turning now to the drawings andreferring first particularly to FIGS. 1-3 thereof, a permutation padlockembodying the present invention, and indicated generally by thereference numeral 10, comprises a hollow case 12 which supports asecuring element or shackle 14 for movement between locked and unlockedor open positions. The shackle 14 is biased toward open position by aspring 16 and is retained in locked position, as shown, by a pair ofoppositely disposed locking bolts l8, 18 which cooperate in lockingengagement with the legs of the shackle l4to retain it in its lockedposition. The locking bolts are biased transversely outwardly inopposite directions toward projected positions in locking engagementwith the shackle by a spring 20 positioned between the locking bolts andretained on a pin. A control assembly received in the case 12 andindicated generally by the reference numeral 22 includes a frame 24. Thelatter frame supports a movable blocking member 26 which blocks thelocking bolts :in projected position and a permutation mechanism,indicated generally at 28, which controls movement of blocking member toand from its blocking position. Since the novel features of the presentinvention reside in the construction and arrangement of the partsthereof, the illustrated locking mechanism will be hereinafter onlygenerally described. However, reference may be had to the aforementioned U.S. patents for a more complete disclosure of theillustratedpermutation mechanism.

In accordance with the present invention, the control assembly 22cooperates with the case 12 to confine the locking bolts 18, 18 formovement between projected and retracted positions and includes a fillerblock 30 which cooperates with the frame 24 to provide improvedstructural confinement for the bolts. The filler block also cooperateswith a drive pin 32 to provide improved structural retention of thecontrol assembly 22 in the case 12, as will be hereinafter furtherdiscussed.

Considering now the structure of the lock 10 in further detail, and asoriented in the drawing, the case 12 has a continuous peripheral sidewall 34 and an upper wall 36 which cooperate to define a cavity 38opening through the lower end of the case. The locking bolts 18, 18 arereceived in the cavity 38 adjacent the upper wall 36 for slidingengagement therewith and confined in the case 12 by the control assembly22 or more specifically, by the frame 24 which comprises part of thelatter assembly. The frame 24 is preferably formed from sheet metal andincludes a rear wall 40, a top wall 42 spaced downwardly from the upperwall 36 and a pair of transversely spaced side walls 44 and 46 whichrespectively define upwardly facing bearing surfaces 48 and 50 spaceddownwardly from the top wall 42. The frame 24 also includes a bottomwall 54 which forms a closure for the lower end of the case 12 and has agenerally arcuate central portion indicated at 56. The arcuate centralportion extends transversely of the bottom wall '54 and has a pluralityof transversely spaced slots 58, 58 which open therethrough. Each slot58 is partially defined by a pair of opposing transversely spaced sidewalls 60, 60, as best shown in FIG. 2.

The shape of the filler block may vary, however, the illustrated fillerblock 30 has a generally trapezoidal shape and includes a pair oftransversely projecting end portions 62, 62 each of the latter endportions has a downwardly facing abutment surface 64 thereon. The

. filler block 30 is inserted in the open front end of the frame 24before the frame is assembled within the case 12. The upper surface ofthe filler block bears against the lower surface of, the top wall 42 andthe abutment surfaces 64, 64 rest upon the bearing surfaces 48 and 50,respectively. The control assembly 22 is retained in assembledrelationship with the case 12 by a fastener or drive pin 32 which passesthrough the wall of the case 12, the frame rear wall 40 and which isreceived in drive fit engagement in an opening in the filler block 30.

The permutation mechanism 28 for controlling movement of the blockingmember 26 comprises a transversely spaced series of combination orpermutation wheels 66, 66 carried by a shaft 67 joumalled on the sidewalls 44, 46 and extending transversely therebetween, the axis of thelatter shaft being indicated at I 69. Each wheel 66 has a segmentthereof which extends outwardly through an associated one of the slots58, 58 and a pair of coaxial flanges 68, 68 thereon which extend axiallyoutwardly from opposite sides thereof. Each flange 68 extendstransversely outwardly beyond an associated one of the side walls 60, 60which partially define the associated slot 58. The arcuate centralportion 56 of the frame bottom wall 54 has its center of curvature onthe axis 69 to closely conform to the contour of the flanges 68, 68, asbest shown in FIG. 3. Thus, the flanges 68, 68 and slot walls 60, 60cooperate to prevent insertion of a picking tool or the like into thecase 12.

Each wheel 66 is normally engaged with a lock controlling element in theform of a disc 70 which is rotably mounted on the shaft 67 and which iscut away at one side thereof to provide a flat (not shown) on theperiphery of the disc. Each permutation wheel 66 is retained in setposition by means of a spring member 72 which engages a series ofnotches in the periphery thereof. The blocking member 26 preferablytakes the form of a blocking plate which is pivotally supportedintermediate its ends on the side walls 44 and 46 and which is adaptedto be rocked about its support. The blocking member is retained inposition by a spring 74 and by a guide pin 76 which act between the case12 and the blocking member 26 as best shown in FIG. 3.

The blocking member 26 also includes a plurality of transversely, spacedapart fingers 80, 80, shown broken away in FIG. 2, which extend betweenthe permutation wheels and respectively engage the peripheries of thecontrol discs 70, 70. The fingers 80, 80 are biased toward engagementwith the discs 70, 70 by the spring 74, as best shown in FIG. 3. 7

When it is desired to unlock the shackle 14, the con trolling discs 70,70 are rotated by their respective combination wheels 66, 66 until theproper combination appears thereon atthe bottom of the case. All of theflats on the control discs willthen be aligned with adjacent andcooperating fingers 80, .80 on the blocking member 26 whereuponthespring74 causes the blocking member 26 to pivot toa position wherein thefinger 65 swings outwardly from between the bolts l8, 18. The bolts maythen be readily forced inwardly toward their retracted position by apull on the shackle 14, or if desired, the spring 16 may be made toprovide sufficient biasing-force on the shackle to move it into openposition by camming the bolts inwardly against thepressure of the spring20. The illustrated lock 10 is also provided with a permutationmechanism to permit the combination of the lock to be readily changed.The latter mechanism is well known in the 'art, however, for a moredetailed disclosure of the latter mechanism or the operation of thelock, which is only generally discussed herein, reference may be had tothe aforementioned U.S. patents.

When the lock 10 is in its locked condition, as it appears in FIG. 2, apulling force exerted upon the shackle 14, relative to the case 12,tends to cause the bolts 18, 18 to rotate in opposite directions so thatthe inner ends thereof bear upon the central portion of the frame upperwall 42 and exert bending force thereon. However, the latter force istransmitted to the filler block 30 which, in turn, transmits the forceto the bearing surfaces 48 and 50 associated with the frame side walls44 and 46. Thus, the filler block 30 cooperates with the frame sidewalls to provide structural support for the frame top wall 42.

I claim:

1. A combination padlock having a hollow case including an upper walland an opening at the lower end thereof, a shackle supported on saidcase and movable relative thereto between locked and unlocked positions,a pair of locking bolts supported in said case for sliding engagementwith said upper wall thereof in opposite transverse directions betweenprojected and retracted positions for engagement with the legs of saidshackle in said projected position to retain said shackle in its lockedposition, means normally urging said locking bolts outwardly in oppositedirections toward said projected position, a control assembly includinga frame received in said case and having a top wall spaced downwardlyfrom said upper wall and cooperating therewith to confine said lockingbolts in said case for movement between said projected and retractedpositions, said frame having a bottom wall providing a closure for saidopening, said control assembly further including a blocking membermounted on said frame for controlled movement to and from a blockingposition, said blocking member in said blocking position having a partthereof disposed between said bolts to positively retain said bolts insaid projected position, and a combination mechanism for controlling themovement of said blocking member, a filler block disposed in said casewithin said frame and extending transversely thereof below said top walland in bearing engagement therewith, and a drive pin extending into saidcase through a wall thereof and into said filler block for retainingsaid locking bolts, said filler. block and said control assembly inassembled relation with said case. i

2. A combination padlock as set forth in claim 1 wherein said frameincludes a pair of transversely spaced apart side walls extendingbetween said top and bottom walls, each of said side walls having anupwardly facing bearing surface thereon, said filler block having endportions extending transversely outwardly therefrom, each of said endportion having a downwardly'facing' abutment surface thereon engaging anassociated one of saidbearing surfaces.

3. A combination lock as set forth in claim 2 wherein said frameincludes a rear wall connecting said side walls and said top and bottomwalls and said drive pin extends in drive fit engagement through saidcase wall and said rear wall and into said filler block.

4. A combination lock as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bottom wallhas a transversely spaced series of slots therethrough, each of saidslots partially defined by a pair of opposing transversely spaced sidewalls, and said combination mechanism includes a plurality oftransversely spaced series of combination wheels journalled for rotationabout an axis extending transversely of said frame, each of said wheelshaving a segment thereof extending outwardly through an associated oneof said slots and a pair of coaxial flanges thereon extending axiallyoutwardly from opposite sides thereof,

portion.

1. A combination padlock having a hollow case including an upper walland an opening at the lower end thereof, a shackle supported on saidcase and movable relative thereto between locked and unlocked positions,a pair of locking bolts supported in said case for sliding engagementwith said upper wall thereof in opposite transverse directions betweenprojected and retracted positions for engagement with the legs of saidshackle in said projected position to retain said shackle in its lockedposition, means normally urging said locking bolts outwardly in oppositedirections toward said projected position, a control assembly includinga frame received in said case and having a top wall spaced downwardlyfrom said upper wall and cooperating therewith to confine said lockingbolts in said case for movement between said projected and retractedpositions, said frame having bottom wall providing a closure for saidopening, said control assembly further including a blocking membermounted on said frame for controlled movement to and from a blockingposition, said blocking member in said blocking position having a partthereof disposed between said bolts to positively retain said bolts insaid projected position, and a combination mechanism for controlling themovement of said blocking member, a filler block disposed in said casewithin said frame and extending transversely thereof below said top walland in bearing engagement therewith, and a drive pin extending into saidcase through a wall thereof and into said filler block for retainingsaid locking bolts, said filler block and said control assembly inassembled relation with said case.
 2. A combination padlock as set forthin claim 1 wherein said frame including a pair of transversely spacedapart side walls extending between said top and bottom walls, each ofsaid side walls having an upwardly facing bearing surface thereon, saidfiller block having end portions extending transversely outwardlytherefrom, each of said end portion having a downwardly facing abutmentsurface thereon engaging an associated one of said bearing surfaces. 3.A combination lock as set forth in claim 2 wherein said frame includes arear wall connecting said side walls and said top and bottom walls andsaid drive pin extends in drive fit engagement through said case walland said rear wall and into said filler block.
 4. A combination lock asset forth in claim 1 wherein said bottom wall has a transversely spacedseries of slots therethrough, each of said slots partially defined by apair of opposing transversely spaced side walls, and said combinationmechanism includes a plurality of transversely spaced series ofcombination wheels journalled for rotation about an axis extendingtransversely of said frame, each of said wheels having a segment thereofextending outwardly through an associated one of said slots and a pairof coaxial flanges thereon extending axially outwardly from oppositesides thereof, each of said flanges extending transversely outwardlybeyond an associated one of said side walls defining said associatedslot.
 5. A combination lock as set forth in claim 4 wherein said bottomwall has a transversely extending arcuate portion which has a center ofcurvature on said axis, said slots being at least partially defined bysaid arcuate portion.